Spirit of America Gibson Les Paul Guitar April 17, 2011

This singular musical instrument was created at Gibson's Custom & Historic Division in Nashville, Tenn., from materials preserved from the 1986 restoration of the Statue of Liberty and of Ellis Island. It is the second in a series of 50 works of art (one for each of the 50 states) that will be made from these materials. These works will be known as "Liberty Ambassadors" and will serve to inspire hope and freedom while celebrating America's diversity. The guitar's entire body is made from wood that came from the Main Building at Ellis Island, and the decorative inlay and hardware were crafted from copper salvaged during the Statue of Liberty's restoration. Additionally, Gibson created a unique display for the guitar from a piece of one of the Statue's armature bars - part of the framework that attaches her copper skin to her internal support structure.